Tripod levelling

[pilkinn]

I've seen a few comments on the forum about getting the mount base level i.e. checking the tripod is level. What does it affect not having it absolutely level. If accurate polar alignment is still performed does it affect the tracking or accuracy of the goto function?

[steppenwolf]

On an equatorial mount, there is no requirement to level the tripod for Polar alignment, GoTo accuracy or tracking accuracy - however, the advantages of levelling the mount are that it speeds up the repeatability of setting up session after session and makes adjustment of the azimuth and altitude bolts to obtain an accurate Polar alignment more intuitive.